Otherwise, how could he live with himself?

“Why not just let it go? Consider it as feeding the dog! That corrupt magistrate isn’t a decent person. Someone like him won’t hold onto power for long. Sooner or later, he’ll meet his downfall. When that happens, we’ll settle the score with him.”

Zhao Shu had always been pragmatic about money. If it disappeared, so be it. After all, he already had plenty. Losing soldiers and generals over this matter wouldn’t be worth it.

No treasure was more valuable than human life.

Shao Yunduan interjected, “We can’t simply brush this aside. Prefect Fu is a covetous man. With Zheng Sangge and the others returning empty-handed this time, he’ll surely become even more arrogant. Even if we remain passive, he’ll take action. Just wait and see, he’ll likely attempt to reclaim Jinhua and Quzhou. News from the southeast will confirm it soon.”

This revelation left Zheng Sangge and the others dumbfounded.

Zhao Shu expressed surprise, blurting out, “Impossible, right? Doesn’t he realize his own limitations?!”

They all chuckled.

Zheng Sangge smiled and remarked, “Perhaps he truly doesn’t. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have dared to try taking advantage of us!”

How had Quzhou and Jinhua fallen into Shao Yunduan’s possession? Wasn’t it the Prefect of Hangzhou who tried to play the fox and got outfoxed? He aimed to exploit the situation but lacked the capability to do so!

If Shao Yunduan intended to teach Prefect Fu a lesson, merely dismissing him when he turned to confront him wouldn’t suffice.

If they didn’t take a chunk out of his hide, he’d only grow more brazen. If he earned it, fine; if not, it didn’t matter. So why wasn’t he still strutting about?

Filled with indignation, Zheng Sangge sneered, “If it’s truly as Lord says, then I can hardly wait! I’ll rip another chunk off him this time! That Fu character is utterly contemptible!”

Equally aggrieved, Zhao Shu chimed in, “Count me in when the time comes. I can contribute!”

Despite Uncle Li Jiu and the others rushing over, they lacked the opportunity to act. Nonetheless, they brought along 300,000 taels of silver.

Such a sum was sufficient to wage a significant campaign. At the very least, it would be ample to teach Prefect Fu a lesson.

Shao Yunduan grinned. “Let’s wait and see.”

Turning to Zheng Sangge, he instructed, “Return to the provincial capital and send away the individuals dispatched by Old General Sun.”

With a forthcoming conflict with the Prefect of Hangzhou looming, they couldn’t afford to let Sun Hao and his companions remain in Huaixi.

Zheng Sangge remained unaware of this development. His expression reflected his confusion. “Who is Old General Sun?”

While he understood the need to return to the province, he was unsure about the individuals sent by Old General Sun.

Qiao Xuan suppressed a laugh as she clarified, “He’s the Second Prince’s grandfather.”

Zheng Sangge’s expression stiffened before he sneered, “Ah, so it’s him! It seems General Sun has quite the memory to remember me.”

The word “again” added a charming and vivid touch to his remark.

With a smile, Qiao Xuan added, “I recall more than that. General Sun suggested you accompany him to Wuchang City to accumulate negative karma.”

“Hmph!” Zheng Sangge scoffed.

“Lord, Madam, I’ll return to the province tomorrow morning. It’s not suitable for unrelated individuals to linger in Huaixi for too long,” Zheng Sangge stated.

Shao Yunduan nodded in agreement. “Understood.”

After resolving Sun Hao’s situation, Qiao Xuan and Shao Yunduan prepared to depart. Given the favorable weather, they decided to spend a few days at Liuhe Manor.

The expansive land at Liuhe Manor boasted a variety of crops, including herbs, potatoes, peanuts, soybeans, and more, all meticulously arranged.